Talley Landscape Architects

What Talley Landscape Architects does

Talley Landscape Architects, Inc. (TLA) is a Texas-incorporated, privately held landscape architecture firm founded in 1999 and headquartered in Orchard, Texas (Greater Houston area). The firm provides full-service landscape architecture — planning, design, and construction administration — for parks, recreation facilities, master-planned community amenities, detention basin conversions, and trail systems. Its core technical differentiator is a proprietary Regenerative Land Management (RLM) methodology developed by founding principal Merrie Talley over 10+ years, which restores soil health and ecosystem function while reducing chemical inputs. TLA is also recognized for specialized dual-use detention basin design (serving as flood control during rainfall and park space otherwise) and for introducing North America's first interactive technology play piece at Wallaroo Park.

The firm's customer base is overwhelmingly public sector: Harris County Municipal Utility Districts (MUD 230, MUD 55, MUD 50), Harris County Precinct 4, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, and Texas municipalities including Pearland, East Bernard, and Webster. Notable project scale includes the $20 million Harris County Precinct 4 Administrative Service Center and a $30 million district-wide park plan for FB MUD No. 50 spanning 10-20 years. The firm supplements its public work with private developer engagements (e.g., Woodforest Development) and SPARK School Park Program partnerships. Revenue is generated through professional service fees on design contracts, master planning engagements, and construction oversight, with no publicly disclosed pricing.

TLA operates as a micro firm with 1-10 employees, pursuing clients through direct engagement, RFP processes, and grant-funded opportunities (notably Texas Parks and Wildlife Outdoor Grants). Its go-to-market relies on industry conference participation (Texas ASLA, AWBD, HGAC, NRPA, Bayou Preservation Association), earned media through award recognition (HGAC Parks and Natural Areas Awards, 2013 NRPA Parks Build Community Showcase, Texas ASLA Merit Awards), and academic partnerships with Texas A&M University's LAUP program. The firm holds no patents, has no disclosed funding rounds, and operates with no parent company or institutional investors.

Name

Talley Landscape Architects

Legal name

Talley Landscape Architects, Inc.

Website

https://talleyla.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Talley Landscape Architects is a Texas-based landscape architecture firm designing parks, trails, and dual-use detention basins primarily for Harris County MUDs, Harris County government, and nearby municipalities, with a proprietary regenerative land management methodology and 25+ completed projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Landscape Architecture Services

NAICS

Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Landscape Architectural Services (54132)

SIC

Heavy Construction Other Than Bldg Const - Contractors (1600)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Architecture & Site Design (BPAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Urban Planning & Master Planning (BPAHAKAD), Landscape Construction Project Management & General Contracting (HSAIABAK)

Keywords

• Landscape architecture services
• Park master planning
• Public park design
• Detention basin conversion
• Park construction management

Headquarters

HQ city

Orchard

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Professional Services - Landscape Architecture Design: Full-service landscape architecture including planning, design, and construction management of parks and recreation facilities for public agencies, Municipal Utility Districts, and corporate clients. Revenue generated through professional service fees for design contracts, master planning engagements, and construction oversight.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Talley Landscape Architects is a full-service landscape architecture firm that plans, designs, and manages the construction of park and recreation facilities. The firm specializes in large-scale public projects including park master plans, detention basin conversions, trail systems, sports complexes, and master-planned community amenities for Municipal Utility Districts, counties, municipalities, and private developers. Their practice is anchored by a proprietary Regenerative Land Management approach and emphasis on integrating environmental sensitivity with practical park functionality.

Product overview

Talley Landscape Architects, Inc. is a full service landscape architecture firm offering comprehensive park and recreation facility planning, design, and construction management services. The firm specializes in large-scale public projects including detention basin conversions, trail systems, sports complexes, and master-planned community facilities. Their portfolio encompasses diverse offerings: park design projects (Mandolin Gardens Park, Wallaroo Park, Shady Lane Park), sports and nature complexes (Alabonson Park, Independence Park), trail and linear park design (Greens Bayou Trail, MUD 230 Park System), environmental mitigation projects (Greens Bayou Mitigation Bank, Heritage Park Overlook Basin), and school park programs (SPARK Parks). The firm also provides site planning for administrative facilities and district-wide park master plans for Municipal Utility Districts. Their approach emphasizes regenerative design principles integrating environmental sensitivity with practical park amenities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mandolin Gardens Park An 11-acre park design in Harris County MUD 230 that transformed two overgrown detention basins into an accessible green space with 2 miles of trails, plazas, and overlooks.
• Dennis Johnston Park Harris County Toll Road Authority Sound Wall and park retrofit featuring a prototype green sound wall design with sustainable plantings, event plaza, water feature, and landscape plantings for Harris County Precinct 4.
• Wallaroo Park An engaging playscape for all ages and abilities within the Woodforest Community featuring custom themed play structures, local natural materials, and the first dynamic play piece with interactive technology in North America.
• Alabonson Park A sports and nature complex for Harris County Precinct 4 featuring softball fields, soccer field, football field, playground, pavilion shelter, picnic areas, and restroom/concession building, all designed for accessibility.
• East Bernard Community Park A community park design utilizing Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant money featuring basketball court, soccer field, 54-foot gazebo, sand volleyball court, butterfly garden, and trail connecting to San Bernard River with interpretive wildlife signs.
• Independence Park A 74-acre masterplan for the City of Pearland featuring outdoor stage and amphitheater accommodating over 3000 patrons, Vendor Allee for festivals, fully accessible playground with custom play features, and planned dual-level amenity lake expansion.
• Shady Lane Park A transformative park project for an underserved community featuring bayou-themed design with splash pad, custom play pieces using SketchUp 3D modeling, 750 linear feet of play space, wetland plantings, and embedded stream-bed trail connecting to Hall's Bayou.
• MUD 230 Park System A comprehensive district-wide park plan including Mandolin Gardens Park, Triangle Basin Trail, and Mandolin Prairie, forming a planned 5-mile loop of trails with organic maintenance practices and pollinator habitat.
• Harris County Precinct 4 Administrative Service Center A $20 million complex site planning and planting/irrigation design featuring sustainable design with solar power, bio-swales, reclaimed water irrigation system, and low-impact development drainage for Harris County Precinct 4.
• Greens Bayou Trail A 2-mile linear park (GR14 segment) on the south bank of Greens Bayou designed as part of the Bayou Greenways 2020 Initiative, featuring native vines, 18-foot sculptural beacons, trailhead portals, bridges with elevated plazas, and wildflower areas.
• SPARK Parks Community parks developed on public school grounds in partnership with the SPARK School Program, featuring walking trails, play equipment, benches, outdoor classrooms, and public art components for school districts in the Greater Houston Area.
• MUD No. 50 West Park Lakes Comprehensive district-wide park plan for FB MUD No. 50 with trail system, recreational amenities, multi-use detention facilities, and $30 million budget to be implemented over 10-20 years.
• Park on the Bend (Brengel Park) A 7.2-acre site as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Outdoor Grant recipient demonstrating dual use of land as detention facility and park, featuring 100% accessible trail system, learning pier, and park playground.
• Heritage Park Overlook Basin Regional Park Facility retro-fitting an existing 25-acre detention basin into wet-bottom facility with over two miles of accessible trails and multiple amenities for Harris County MUD No. 55.
• Greens Bayou Mitigation Bank Agency research and education prototype near Bush Intercontinental Airport serving as a wetland mitigation bank showcasing various wetland types and water quality demonstration projects.
• Bane Park Park renovation compliant with Texas Parks & Wildlife Outdoors Grant featuring fishing peninsula, pavilions, gazebo, water play area, horseshoe and volleyball courts, bird watching outlook, and 1-mile perimeter trail.
• East Bernard Horelica Splash Pad and Pool Renovation of a 40-year-old pool complex with modern splash pad utilizing Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant money, featuring butterfly garden and reconfigured site plan.
• Sunnyside Area Pedestrian Trails Concrete trail design meeting FHWA and TxDOT standards including Scottcrest Park trail replacement and Alief trail around soccer fields with drainage structures.
• El Dorado Park A 2.7-acre community park featuring open lawn space, playground equipment, pool, tennis courts, and trail loop for community events.
• Fife Park Part of MUD No. 55 District park system featuring splash pad, tennis and basketball courts, covered pavilion, gazebo, pool, dog parks, and 2/3 mile of accessible trails.
• Heritage Park Pointe A 2-acre park in Webster, Texas with playground, pool, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, and 1/5 mile fully accessible trail loop.
• Heritage Park Terrace A 6.8-acre neighborhood park with large open space, pool, playground, tennis courts, and trail loop.
• Irene Kochiss Park A 2-acre park (now Hope Village Soccer Field) with 1/5 mile accessible trails, parking lot, and soccer field in Webster, Texas.
• Quillback Park A 5.43-acre park with basketball and tennis courts, playground, pool, and over 1/4 mile of accessible trails in MUD No. 55 District.
• Blue Mesa Park Park renovation featuring bridge across existing swale, over 800 feet of accessible trails, and playground equipment.
• Atwell Bridge Planting Bridge planting design project featuring landscape installations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trees in organically maintained MUD 230 parks have twice the growth rate of chemically maintained landscapes (per Texas Forest Service)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHGAC is a regional planning commission that administers the annual Parks and Natural Areas Awards Competition. TLA regularly receives recognition through these awards, building credibility with municipal clients throughout the greater Houston region.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLA has successfully secured multiple TPWD Outdoor Grants for clients including East Bernard Community Park and the Park on the Bend project ($500,000 grant). TLA assists clients with grant writing and compliance requirements.
• Houston Parks Board / Bayou Greenways 2020coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLA is a featured partner in the Bayou Greenways 2020 Initiative, a seven-year program to create a 150-mile network of connected parks and trails along Houston's major bayous. TLA designed the Greens Bayou Trail GR14 segment.
• SPARK School Park ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLA has worked with SPARK to design parks at half a dozen schools in the Greater Houston Area. SPARK develops community parks on public school grounds that serve schools during the day and open to the public after hours.
• Texas A&M University LAUPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTLA supports Texas A&M College of Architecture through participation in Aggie Workshop events, Career Fairs, Lecture Series, and Strategic Planning sessions. Merrie Talley is an Outstanding Alumna of the College.
• Trees For HoustonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrees For Houston donates trees for SPARK Park projects designed by TLA. Trees are then maintained by students at the schools.
• Bayou Preservation AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTLA sponsors the annual BPA Gala and participates in the Annual BPA Symposium. BPA works to safeguard the richness and diversity of the region's bayou systems.
• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNRPA's Parks Build Community Program selected Shady Lane Park as the 2013 Showcase Project. TLA's work has been featured in Parks & Recreation magazine.
• Kraftsman PlaygroundsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKraftsman Playgrounds performed water play equipment and general contracting for Shady Lane Park project, collaborating with TLA on custom play pieces.
• GameTimeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTLA worked with GameTime in the design of custom play pieces using SketchUp 3D modeling for Shady Lane Park. GameTime featured the project in their catalogue.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SWA Group: One of the largest landscape architecture and urban design firms in the U.S., with deep public-sector park, waterfront, and master planning practices. SWA is a direct peer in professional landscape architecture services for municipal and large-scale public projects, though at significantly greater scale.
• LandDesign: National landscape architecture, urban design, and civil engineering firm with strong public-sector park and community development work. LandDesign is a relevant peer given its mix of master planning, park design, and public-sector client focus.
• OLIN: International landscape architecture, urban design, and planning firm with a strong portfolio of public parks and civic landscapes. OLIN competes for the same municipal and institutional park commissions as TLA, with broader geographic reach and larger project scale.
• Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architecture: Mid-sized landscape architecture firm with public realm, park, and urban design experience. Comparable as a peer competing for institutional and municipal park commissions at a similar boutique scale.
• Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates (MVVA): Landscape architecture firm known for signature urban parks and public realm projects. MVVA competes for high-profile municipal park commissions with a similar professional services model and master planning capability.
• Design Workshop: Landscape architecture and planning firm with strong public-sector park and open space practice, including master planning for communities and municipalities. Direct peer in delivering professional park planning and design services.
• Sasaki Associates: Planning, design, and landscape architecture firm with a major practice in campus, park, and master planning for public and institutional clients. Comparable in providing full-spectrum professional services for large park and district masterplans.
• James Corner Field Operations: Landscape architecture and urban design firm behind major public park and waterfront projects (e.g., High Line, Freshkills Park). Comparable in delivering large-scale public park and ecological landscape design for municipal clients.

Regional players

• TBG Partners: Texas-based landscape architecture firm serving residential, commercial, and public-sector clients. TBG is a strong regional peer given shared Texas geography and overlapping park, master-planned community, and municipal client work.
• Studio Outside: Texas-based landscape architecture studio with public-sector park and urban design work in the Dallas/Houston regions. Comparable as a regional peer competing for similar Texas municipal and park district projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLjIDErLKtmEUjdUA-JKkWmICy5AceXE0k
• Facebookfacebook.com/Talleyla
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/talleyla

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Talley Landscape Architects